Costs for rides on VIA may increase

Basic fare, other plans under consideration.

A new articulated bus makes a turn as its driver trains on it last week. VIA Metropolitan Transit plans to launch its new bus rapid transit service, VIA Prímo, in mid-December.

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The basic fare for riding a VIA Metropolitan Transit bus could soon go up by a dime, to $1.20, the first increase in nearly four years.

Monthly passes and paratransit van service would also go up, from 10 percent to 15 percent, if VIA's board approves a new fare plan.

A public hearing on the fares will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 10 at the VIA Metro Center at 1021 San Pedro Ave. The VIA board is expected to vote the next day on the proposed increases, which would begin Feb. 1.

Since the agency last raised fares, in 2009, operating costs have increased, as has ridership: About 45.7 million trips were taken on VIA buses this year, 3.6 percent more than in 2011. But the percentage of VIA's expenses covered by fares has gone down slightly, VIA interim President and CEO Jeff Arndt said Monday.

The agency's fuel bill, which was about $13.3 million in 2009, has jumped to $19.7 million now.

“We're providing really good value, and the fares that we're charging are a very good value,” said Arndt, who took over for departing CEO Keith Parker this month. “But we are trying to maintain some level of passenger contribution toward the service.

“To help offset the increase in costs we've incurred over four years, over which we haven't increased fares, that's what we're looking to do.”

The proposed fare increases come as VIA prepares to enhance service by opening transit centers downtown and at the Medical Center and by launching bus rapid transit service, called VIA Prímo, in mid-December. The longer Prímo buses will carry more passengers and provide more frequent and faster service between downtown, the Medical Center and the main campus of the University of Texas at San Antonio.

The Prímo fare will be the same as that of a regular bus ride, Arndt said.

VIA considered fare increases in August 2011 but abandoned the plan after some riders — particularly seniors, students and the disabled — said the increases were unfair. At the time, the agency was also trying to secure money for its downtown streetcar system. The city and county agreed to help VIA fund streetcars later that year.

VIA's new proposed fare changes are tempered from the ones in 2011. For example, VIA would keep free rides on the weekends for seniors, and the $35 price for a student semester pass won't change.

VIA also dropped a proposal to eliminate bus transfers, which allow most riders to switch between connecting buses for 15 cents.

To Gilbert Rodriguez, who rides the bus to his job as a waiter on the River Walk, the fare increase is no big deal. He usually buys a monthly pass, which would go up $5 to $35. But he realizes that other VIA passengers might feel the pinch.

“Five dollars is a major difference when you're on a fixed income,” Rodriguez said.

Chris Colvin, 44, takes VIA to his job at a warehouse five days a week. The increase for the monthly pass would mean paying an extra $60 a year. It might not sound like much, but that money has to come from somewhere, he said, be it his clothing budget or the money he spends to go out.

Even with the higher fare, the bus is still cheaper than fuel and car insurance, he said.

“If they raise, it, I'll be bummed out, but I won't stop taking it.”

VIA's fare revenue covers roughly 17 percent of its overall operating costs. Sales tax revenue covers most of the rest. But VIA gets less sales tax revenue than most large transit agencies in Texas and has lower fares.

Houston, Dallas and Austin each collect a full penny, while VIA and the Advanced Transportation District, which VIA oversees, combined get five-eighths of a penny.

Houston's bus or light rail systems costs $1.25 a ride, a fare last raised in 2008.

Starting Monday, Dallas Area Rapid Transit will raise its fare — which covers bus and light-rail service — from $1.75 to $2.50. The new fare will include express bus service and some commuter rail service in the area.

In Austin, the basic fare of $1 is less than VIA's, but riding an express bus and the commuter rail line costs $2.75. VIA's Express service costs $2.50 and won't be raised in February.

In 2010, nearly 80 percent of the country's public transit systems raised fares, cut service or were considering it, according to an American Public Transportation Association study. That's usually because sales tax revenue fell or was flat as consumers cut back on spending after the 2008 recession hit.